What is Moonray?

Source: Moonray Website

Moonray is a triple-A-rated game built on Web2 and integrating Web3 components. Initially, it was a sci-fi Web2 platform built on the Unreal Engine 4 platform, but it decided to give gamers the ability to own assets. This led to the incorporation of NFTs and tokens.

The Web3 integration allows users to easily onboard into the crypto space. It is powered by the ERC-20 protocol and the base NFT infrastructure.

The Moonray project, with the aid of its MNRY token, is set to expand its gaming IP by supporting projects in the gaming, comic, and animation sectors. There are ongoing plans for MNRY to be integrated into the Moonray PC and mobile games. Moonray is currently available on Epic Games, a major player in the gaming industry.

Moonray Debuts on Epic Games

The Epic Game Store is an American platform for developing and publishing games. Founded in 1991 by Tim Sweeney, it has grown into one of the largest gaming platforms globally.

Moonray debuted on the platform in July 2024, giving it access to Epic Game’s 295 million user base. This allowed the project to achieve its goal of onboarding Web2 gamers into Web3. After the debut, Moonray launched its play-to-airdrop campaign, which allowed users to earn MNRY tokens by participating in PVP battles.

History of Moonray

The Moonray MNRY project was established by Moonray Studio, with Rodrigo Etcheto and Hans Andersson as co-founders. Rodrigo, the CEO, started as a marketer for startups in the 2000s, and he was the initial brains behind the MoonRay project.

Hans, the Chief business officer, has years of experience in the consulting and investment industries. Together, they began PC testing for Moonray in March 2022, and the alpha version of the PC game was launched in July 2024.

The project started with Rodrigo’s passion for fiction and gaming. After years of working as a marketer, he decided to return to the tech space.

Rodrigo was bored of the common themes of most games, either medieval or sci-fi. So, he created something different that blended the lines between organic matter and technology.

After multiple drawings inspired by UFO lore and the Prophet comics written by Brandon Graham and Simon Roy, Moonray began its PC beta testing. The alpha version of the PC game was launched on the Epic Games Store in July 2024.

After a couple of months, on December 18, 2024, the MNRY token was listed on exchanges like KuCoin. The company previously closed a $10M oversubscribed funding round led by Animoca Brands, Republic Crypto, Polygon Ventures, and others.

Source: Crypto Rank

Beyond Web3 gaming, Moonray has branched out into comics with the aid of Eisner Award-winning comic book artist Brandon Graham. The comics are available in North America, the EU, and the UK. The company also partners with the globally renowned animation studio ReelFx to create an upcoming animated web series.

Features of Moonray: Gameplay, User-friendly Blockchain Integration, and Moonray DAO

Gameplay

Source: Moonray Website

The Moonray gameplay is focused on PVP melee combats with very few ranged weapons. The characters are futuristic figures born from fallen gods who combine organic matter with scientific technology.

The arena teams play mostly 4v4 matches, which consist of striking, parrying, counterattacks, charged attacks, and ranged attacks. The god-influenced design gives it a mythical aesthetics with a mix of combat and exploration.

The game is available on Xbox, PlayStation, Steam, and PC. Depending on the gamer’s preferred play style, it also offers various modes, including tournaments and prize pool fights.

Coliseum Arena in the Moonray Game

The game features arenas like Coliseum, which has a waterfall and a rune-etched Coliseum, giving it a mysterious otherworld feel. The image below showcases the Coliseum arena in the Moonray game.

Source: @rodrigo_moonray/moonray-community-update-1-5-24-4601ba639252">Medium

Sky Hand Arena in the Moonray Game

The Sky Hand arena features a massive hand floating in the celestial sky.

Source: @rodrigo_moonray/moonray-community-update-1-5-24-4601ba639252">Medium

User-friendly Blockchain Integration

Moonray streamlined the onboarding process to accommodate both Web2 and Web3 users by cutting out the complexity of Web3 wallet integration. This means users don’t need to buy any NFTs or connect wallets before interacting with the platform.

This also means payments from fiat payment gateways are acceptable. This way, high transaction fees and slow load times could be avoided for Web2 users coming on board.

Moonray DAO

Many games struggle to create a lasting, stable in-game economy and community. Moonray combats this by rewarding players’ participation with MNRY tokens.

These tokens can be staked to participate in the Moonray Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO). Participants can present proposals, make decisions, and improve the project’s ecosystem.

Ownership of in-game assets

In many traditional games, players don’t truly own their in-game assets. Moonray leverages the ERC 20 protocol and Base blockchain to allow players to own digital (in-game) assets as NFTs truly.

It also allows players to gain rewards with tokens that have real-life value. This allows them to trade, sell, or keep the assets as they see fit. They can then proceed to make in-game purchases and participate in governance using these tokens.

Comics and Animation

Moonray also develops graphic novels and animated content with award-winning artists and experienced animation companies. This would broaden its reach beyond gaming into other entertainment forms and amass an audience of gamers, crypto enthusiasts, and readers.

How Does Moonray Work? The Base Blockchain Network and EVM Compatibility

Base Blockchain

The Moonray project leverages the Base blockchain to power its NFTs. This allows the project to scale while operating comfortably with lower gas fees.

The integration with Base allows users to mint and trade NFTs, such as unique skins and characters. These in-game assets can be earned through tournaments and exploration objectives.

Moonray’s Partnership with Base and OpenSea

On November 19, 2024, Moonray partnered with Base and OpenSea to provide free NFT minting for 48 hours after Moonray launched its NFT collection on OpenSea.

Integrating Base and OpenSea into the Moonray project increases the game’s eSport aspect. It allows token-based wagering using MNRY, so players can be rewarded for participating in the project.

EVM Compatibility

The Moonray token is an ERC-20 token, enabling MNRY to be compatible with EVM blockchains.

The token also allows users to purchase in-game items, stake, and participate in tournaments.

What is the MNRY Token?

Source: Coincarp Website

The MNRY token is the native token of the Moonray project. It has a maximum supply of 1 billion and a circulating supply of 63 million. The token can be used for in-game purchases, staking, and governance.

Tokenomics allocates 15% (150 million) to player rewards, with a vesting period of 48 months. 36.5% (365 million) is allocated for ecosystem development, and 15% (150 million) is allocated to the team with a lock period of 12 months.

5% (50 million) is allocated to advisors, and 3.1% (31 million) is allocated to equity investors.

Is MNRY a Good Investment?

The MNRY token would be valuable to gamers and investors. Gamers would need the token to purchase and earn in-game assets, allowing them to earn more potentially.

The project has also received successful funding rounds from prominent crypto ventures, which would make it lucrative to investors looking to enter the GameFi space. Gamers and developers could participate in decision-making on the platform using its DAO features. This would allow them to decide the long-term viability of the project.

Competitive Analysis: Moonray vs. Illuvium

Moonray (MNRY) and Illuvium (ILV) are both decentralized gaming projects that aim to revolutionize the gaming experience through blockchain technology.

On one end, players of the Moonray game can craft NFTs from in-game assets. This way, they become true owners and can easily trade their NFTs on external marketplaces like OpenSea.

On the other hand, players of the Illuvium are allowed to explore multiple game zones, capturing different creatures called Alluvials. These creatures can now be traded as NFTs.

Secondly, Moonray targets Gamers interested in both traditional gaming and blockchain mechanics. Meanwhile, Illuvium targets gamers who enjoy RPGs and NFT trading within the gaming ecosystem.

Although Moonray and Illuvium are both built on the Ethereum network, Illuvium focuses on high-quality graphics and games tailored to open-world experiences, while Moonray focuses on enhancing its functionality with multiple integrations.

How Can Users Own the MNRY Token?

Users can follow a simple process to own MNRY tokens and become a part of the Moonray ecosystem.

Setup a Wallet

One way to own MNRY tokens is to purchase them through an exchange. To do so, the user must create a Gate.io account, complete the KYC process, and add funds to the account to buy the token.

Utilize the MNRY Tokens

Once users have acquired MNRY tokens, they can explore the Moonray ecosystem by signing up for the Moonray games. In these games, users can acquire in-game assets that can be traded. Users can also stake and partake in governance.

Take Action on MNRY

Users can trade MNRY tokens here.